YAIAA football Week 5 power rankings
We're at the halfway mark of the season, and a quick look at this week's power rankings won't reveal a ton of changes. The top eight teams from last week's rankings all won, and though there was a bit of movement toward the bottom of the Top 10, no wholesale changes to report.
But enough of my yammering. Check out the rankings for yourself.
Editor's note: Number in parentheses represents previous week's ranking.
1. West York (1) -- After a ho-hum victory against Eastern York on Friday, the Bulldogs (5-0) have now won their games by an average of 31.8 points. West York's starting to get some statewide notice, too. The Pennsylvania Football News has them rated No. 7 in Class AAA.
2. South Western (2) -- The Mustangs (5-0) got their first win against a fellow AAAA school against Dallastown Friday. South Western is one of three quad-A unbeatens remaining in District 3. One of the others?....
3. William Penn (3) -- The Bearcats (5-0) cruised to a win against Dover Friday. Glancing at the schedule, it looks like Tim Hibbs' team has a good shot to be unbeaten after eight weeks. The bad news? William Penn closes the regular season at South Western and home against Central York -- probably its two toughest games of the year.
4. Delone Catholic (4) -- With 372 rushing yards in a 52-point victory against Fairfield on Friday, the Squires (4-1) have now rushed for 827 yards in their last two games. This Friday's game against York County Tech will be followed by a tantalizing matchup with Littlestown on Oct. 16.
5. York Suburban (5) -- The Trojans (4-1) played without injured quarterback Jordan Knaub Friday night, and still ground out a 34-13 win against Northeastern. Suburban hosts West York in two weeks in a game that may very well determine the Division II champ.
6. Central York (7) -- It's hard to call the Panthers (3-2) a Division I dark horse, considering many tabbed them the favorites heading into the season. But after an 0-2 start, Central's defense has keyed an impressive resurgence. The Panthers have allowed three touchdowns their last four games.
7. Littlestown (6) -- I know, I know. It's hard to demote a team that won 56-0 the previous week, as the Bolts (4-1) did against Susquehannock. Littlestown will get its chance to move back up in the Top 10 this week, when it hosts Division II rival Kennard-Dale.
8. Kennard-Dale (8) -- Last Friday's win against York Catholic was a good warm-up for Friday's showdown with the Bolts. Ethan Hornbarger led the way again for the Rams (3-2) in that game, and now has rushed for 492 yards and six touchdowns the last three weeks.
9. Red Lion (NR) -- William Penn coach Tim Hibbs said two weeks ago the Lions (2-3) were probably the "best 1-3 team in the state." They certainly looked like it Friday, in a 40-23 win at Spring Grove that featured five Chad Kelly touchdown passes.The Lions play a team with a losing record for the first time Friday, when they host Dover.
10. Bermudian Springs (NR) -- The Eagles (3-2) haven't dazzled this year, but they're coming off two straight wins, the latter a 21-6 victory against a revamped York County Tech side. Also, consider Bermudian's two losses this year have come to Northern York and South Western, both of which are 5-0.